creid
Member
Y'all are the best <3
I'm mainly going to Super Potato just to have gone, I'm aware they're pretty much picked clean nowadays. Not much of a retro collector so it's more for browsing/gawking.
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Japan Travel |OT| One does simply not visit just once
- Thread starter hwalker84
- Start date
I'm mainly going to Super Potato just to have gone, I'm aware they're pretty much picked clean nowadays. Not much of a retro collector so it's more for browsing/gawking.
Yeah, listening to retro game soundtracks while you walk around lots of old games is certainly something fun to do at least once.
Akiba's has a life-sized Solid Snake on its top floor (the one with the arcade cabinets in it), but I remember it already being in pitiful state two years ago compared to the one I spotted this time around at the Super Potato in Namba, Osaka.
By the way, I've got to say that the Book Off Bazaar at Osaka is the bee's knees! There's a lot of cheap anime merch there, and the clothing section is even better than that in most second-hand shops I've visited so far.
A month before my trip and trying to get things finalized...
Still unsure if the food is safe to eat/what to avoid in Shanghai during my 17 hour layover. (Hate to get TD due to foreign flora/fauna during my layover/suffer on the flight from Shanghai to Narita, never had a problem eating/drinking anything in Japan but I've never been to China...) Maybe to be safe, stick to a major chain restaurant...
Thursday Nov 17 the day I arrive in Japan there's a "live autumn" music event:
http://www.j-wave.co.jp/special/liveautumn/index.html
Trying to work on getting a ticket for because I know one of the acts and figured it'd be an interesting event.
Saturday the 19th going to some event with friends which originally was just DJs and now has some girl groups I mostly don't care about but includes unlimited onsen access that day in the admission? http://www.onsen-ongaku.com/yukai2016
Saturday night/Sunday morning going to Anison INDEX at MOGRA (which is something I've done on my last two trips as well):
http://club-mogra.jp/2016/11/19/2862/
Sunday I was TRYING to win tickets to this house concert but I didn't receive an e-mail, it would have been AMAZING to see a Keiko Terada private concert - http://show-ya.jp/post-0004072/
Many events are on the weekend (including fripSide and a few others but they're all sold out)... and I have a chance to see someone I like perform at some event in Okayama... also old friend in Kyoto but nothing is confirmed... there are some really cool events the weekend before I booked, the night I leave (so I cannot attend) and the weekend after I'm there but alas most of the people I'm a huge fan of aren't performing during my time there.
Still unsure if the food is safe to eat/what to avoid in Shanghai during my 17 hour layover. (Hate to get TD due to foreign flora/fauna during my layover/suffer on the flight from Shanghai to Narita, never had a problem eating/drinking anything in Japan but I've never been to China...) Maybe to be safe, stick to a major chain restaurant...
Thursday Nov 17 the day I arrive in Japan there's a "live autumn" music event:
http://www.j-wave.co.jp/special/liveautumn/index.html
Trying to work on getting a ticket for because I know one of the acts and figured it'd be an interesting event.
Saturday the 19th going to some event with friends which originally was just DJs and now has some girl groups I mostly don't care about but includes unlimited onsen access that day in the admission? http://www.onsen-ongaku.com/yukai2016
Saturday night/Sunday morning going to Anison INDEX at MOGRA (which is something I've done on my last two trips as well):
http://club-mogra.jp/2016/11/19/2862/
Sunday I was TRYING to win tickets to this house concert but I didn't receive an e-mail, it would have been AMAZING to see a Keiko Terada private concert - http://show-ya.jp/post-0004072/
Many events are on the weekend (including fripSide and a few others but they're all sold out)... and I have a chance to see someone I like perform at some event in Okayama... also old friend in Kyoto but nothing is confirmed... there are some really cool events the weekend before I booked, the night I leave (so I cannot attend) and the weekend after I'm there but alas most of the people I'm a huge fan of aren't performing during my time there.
Johnlenham
Member
Oh man thats a point.
Is there a major site I can use to look up what music events are going on in Japan?
It would be awesome to see Sotchi Terreda in JPN or BORIS or any number of Japanese bands that rarely make it over to the Uk.
Is there a major site I can use to look up what music events are going on in Japan?
It would be awesome to see Sotchi Terreda in JPN or BORIS or any number of Japanese bands that rarely make it over to the Uk.
I use https://www.eventernote.com/ to search, but it can be a bear because most of the ones I've found I wanted to go to were sold out X months in advance to fan clubs only or something like that. =/
Some pics for you from my recent trip to Tokyo (and Nikko)
Gundam Front at DiverCity
iconic Herzog & de Meuron x Prada on Omotesando
Entering Nezu Museum
View from the main building to the garden
in Nezu garden
Shin Godzilla is taking Shinjuku
A restaurant in Shinjuku (GAF Tokyo meetup)
Excercise at Yoyogi Park
Childs play at Yoyogi Park
Zeppelin at Yoyogi Park
Meiji procession
Meiji shrine precinct
Dolls at Meiji shrine
Tiki bar at Jimbocho
The Kappa of Kappabashi
Art display in Jimbocho
A restaurant behind Sensoji
Shinkyo bridge to Nikko's temple district
Tosho-gu
creid
Member
My girlfriend doesn't eat meat, but she does eat fish. I'm trying to prep as well as I can by looking up restaurants that have some fish-only option(s) on the menu but it's tough. Any types of restaurants I should be steering towards?
Most restaurants I've checked seem to have small, specific menus (i.e. everything is a chicken broth ramen, or all okonomiyaki with meat in it), so it seems most places wouldn't have anything she can eat. I know how to ask if something has meat in it, or if they have a fish veggie menu, but it would be easier to not have to ask everywhere.
Most restaurants I've checked seem to have small, specific menus (i.e. everything is a chicken broth ramen, or all okonomiyaki with meat in it), so it seems most places wouldn't have anything she can eat. I know how to ask if something has meat in it, or if they have a fish veggie menu, but it would be easier to not have to ask everywhere.
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
Looks like I'm off to Japan in April next year for the second time! It's been so long overdue. I can't wait!
So I'm trying to decide which of these two tours I should book for April next year (both are pretty much the same price). What do you guys think? I'm leaning towards the first one.
Tour 1.
Tour 2.
So I'm trying to decide which of these two tours I should book for April next year (both are pretty much the same price). What do you guys think? I'm leaning towards the first one.
Tour 1.
Tour 2.
Laevateinn
Member
That's around when I'm planning on going back. Maybe we'll run into each other
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
That's around when I'm planning on going back. Maybe we'll run into each other
Nice!
I'm planning to stay a few extra nights in Tokyo before I do my tour, so who knows, maybe we can meet up or something? : )
Personally, the itinerary for the first one looks a lot closer to things I'd like to see but the 2nd looks to be ... less touristy, I guess?
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
How I'm looking at it is that tour 1 takes you to less places, but has slightly better variety and pacing.
Tour 2 looks like it'll be very fast paced and is almost like a checklist of all the main stuff to see.
It's a hard call. It basically comes down to less, but slightly more interesting locations, or more locations (so many temples) that seem a little less interesting.
Laevateinn
Member
Well, I'm not into tours but I wouldn't want to do one that is so packed. I feel like I would get exhausted and would feel like I didn't get a chance to appreciate it.
MikeHattsu
Member
Selfies, eh?
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
Anyone else got any advice on which tour I should go for? Any place that's really worth it that's not in one of them and in the other?
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
I guess not....
Bboy AJ
My dog was murdered by a 3.5mm audio port and I will not rest until the standard is dead
So I've been to Tokyo once for a few days. Did all the touristy stuff. It was awesome. We went back to Japan again--Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe--for a few days. Again, super awesome.
We're considering heading back again for another trip. Where in Japan does one suggest we go in November? We are very open to heading to Tokyo or Kyoto again. We had such a great time in Kyoto, in particular. But what would we do in Tokyo/Kyoto this time around? Any insight on the less touristy things that would be great for a few days?
We're considering heading back again for another trip. Where in Japan does one suggest we go in November? We are very open to heading to Tokyo or Kyoto again. We had such a great time in Kyoto, in particular. But what would we do in Tokyo/Kyoto this time around? Any insight on the less touristy things that would be great for a few days?
Time for autumn foliage. Check out Nikko and Mt Takao. Maybe even venture further into the alps. Takayama, Matsumoto, Shiojiri/Narai, Shirakawa Go, Kamikochi, ONSENS!!!
Why book a tour in the first place?
Been to the alps once in spring. You can take the train to Nagoya and then change for Takayama. I rented a car in Takayama (with English navigation right next to the train station) and went hiking in Kamikochi national park. Afterwards I checked into hirayu no mori, a great onsen ryokan for a night of excessive hot bathing with mountain views. I then visited Shirakawa Go and surrounding villages (while Shirakawa Go is accessible by bus and overrun with tourists the surrounding villages are basically more of the same but less crowded). Returned the car and stayed two more days in Takayama in a Buddhist temple (sounds more spectacular than it was. Think ymca). Afterwards returned to Nagoya and took the train to Kyoto. I haven't seen Matsumoto etc (yet!).
A couple if weeks ago I stayed in Tokyo and went on day trips to Nikko and Mt Takao both easily accessible by train. See pics above, you can tell the colors are just starting to change.
There are things like regional schedules for autumn foliage I'd check out beforehand.
Are you still in Germany btw?
MikeHattsu
Member
Some trouble for Khaosan Hostels then
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...hot-water-foreign-female-guests-busted-maids/
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...hot-water-foreign-female-guests-busted-maids/
Some trouble for Khaosan Hostels then
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...hot-water-foreign-female-guests-busted-maids/
Oh lol. I stayed at that place. Even talked to a German who was doing that. Is this only illegal for short-stay visas? Because I saw other Hostels do the same thing. They even offer the "jobs" on their websites.
edit: from the title I thought they were running an illegal maid cafe, at first.
MikeHattsu
Member
Guess it's illegal for any kind if visa that doesn't allow you to work while in Japan
And I'm surprised they haven't done anything about it earlier. Even saw posters inside for help wanted while at Khaosan Kyoto.
This is funny because when I went to Hakone, I pretty much ended up doing this on my own. The only difference was that I had to get off on the ropeway half way because the volcano was active and they weren't letting people on it from the top.
Hakone is a wonderful trip for a day. Show up in the evening, chill at a hotspring, next day check your luggage at the front desk and take the rail up the mountain and do the circuit.
oyoshimaru
Member
Are the private onsens only for ryokan in Hakone? I wanted to visit Hakone with my girlfriend but I dont think we can stay overnight since we have a place in Mishima nearby, would love to have a chance to hit the onsen with her though.
There are a bunch that have day passes, but if I remember correctly, they'll boot you after a certain time if you aren't staying there.
oyoshimaru
Member
Beck
Member
I'm planning a trip with a friend to Japan and the best time available ended up being January. So I was wondering what's the general consensus on traveling in Winter? I went there last spring (and loved it) but curious how different it would be when snow falls.
I would like to hit up Kyushu and I hear Hokkaido is nice during this time.
I would like to hit up Kyushu and I hear Hokkaido is nice during this time.
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
Yeah, I've already been to most places on both the tours from the tour I did back in 2010. Last time the futherest I went was Kyoto, but I'll be travelling with someone who hasn't been to Japan at all, so I'm fine with revisiting places.
Because it's nice and easy and I'd get more out of the trip than if I tried to organise everything myself. Tours are great. You meet lots of new people too.
I should try it one day. My parents would never ever book tours when I grew up so it kinda never occurred to me. I always figured the costs are not worth the luxury of not having to deal with accommodation and transport, which also has the downside of giving up on personal preferences and kinda watering down the experience to accommodate everyone in the group. Also I'd rather choose my own travel company. But as I grow older I kinda see the upsides of it all.
I'd think I'd get less out of the trip with regards to miles walked and things seen since I am really far too efficient with these things. Lol.
Visit all the Yatai(street food stalls).
Will do!
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
I've been on many tours all over Europe and Japan before. I'd highly recommend them. For me it's just a more efficient way of travelling. No getting lost and no need to organise anything. Just jump on the bus each day worry free and get the most out of your day (you do A LOT of stuff each day).
You don't even need to do a fully escorted one. Some tours just take you to places and let you explore at your own pace and then the tour guide will tell you what time to meet up to return back to your hotel or your next location. Plenty of great options to choose from!
I would say avoid them.
Ive been there a couple of times and the food is bad. There are other places that have FAR BETTER food and you can actually see the river while dining rather than hiving your back to it, like this one http://www.hanamidori.net/store/archives/5 Reservation is needed if you want the view of the river
Also try the restaurant ikedaya it was really good!
So youve tried every yatai stand? Its absolutely worth trying just for the experience, since yatai is extremely hard to find throughout Japan.
claytonlee101
Member
I just got back from my honeymoon in Japan! I've been wanting to go there for over 10 years and I finally had my chance. Unfortunately I didn't have any time to make an itinerary, the wife got called saying her visa application was approved and ready to be picked up, so we bused to the city right away.
Skimming through here and other sites suggested staying in the Shinjuku area and we tried Airbnb for the first time too. We got an apartment and boy was it small. We stayed in Tokyo and used the Yamanote line for all the main stops. I heard about Super Potato and Akihabara but my favourite store was Book Off! Some BOs had a huge selection of games and a lot were only 108 yen. I made it a mission to visit as many BOs as I could during my travels. I ended up getting most of my wish lists, including complete SFC copies of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI. I couldn't believe I found a lone Chrono Trigger sitting out in the open in a bin in pristine condition, seemingly just waiting for me to pick it up. I thought it was a rare find but I did find more in other stores but they were around 4400 yen.I just wanted to spend hours browsing BO and Mandarakes but the wife wasn't too thrilled haha.
As for toys, I was looking for anything related to Street Fighter but I didn't find much. Apparently there is a Capcom store but it was too far. 3rd Strike is my favourite game and so I actually entered the East vs West tourney at Game Spot Versus! Awesome experience and the footage is on YouTube.
My favourite places to visit were Nakano Broadway, Ikebukuro and Shinjuku. I definitely can't wait to go back, and with a proper itinerary. Next time I want to go out of Tokyo and visit places like Mt Fuji, Kyoto, and other rural areas.
Skimming through here and other sites suggested staying in the Shinjuku area and we tried Airbnb for the first time too. We got an apartment and boy was it small. We stayed in Tokyo and used the Yamanote line for all the main stops. I heard about Super Potato and Akihabara but my favourite store was Book Off! Some BOs had a huge selection of games and a lot were only 108 yen. I made it a mission to visit as many BOs as I could during my travels. I ended up getting most of my wish lists, including complete SFC copies of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI. I couldn't believe I found a lone Chrono Trigger sitting out in the open in a bin in pristine condition, seemingly just waiting for me to pick it up. I thought it was a rare find but I did find more in other stores but they were around 4400 yen.I just wanted to spend hours browsing BO and Mandarakes but the wife wasn't too thrilled haha.
As for toys, I was looking for anything related to Street Fighter but I didn't find much. Apparently there is a Capcom store but it was too far. 3rd Strike is my favourite game and so I actually entered the East vs West tourney at Game Spot Versus! Awesome experience and the footage is on YouTube.
My favourite places to visit were Nakano Broadway, Ikebukuro and Shinjuku. I definitely can't wait to go back, and with a proper itinerary. Next time I want to go out of Tokyo and visit places like Mt Fuji, Kyoto, and other rural areas.
Worthintendo
Member
I am soo happy I had an itinerary done up for my trip last year, helped me stay super focused and see most the things I wanted to. Leaving a few free days was a smart move too as it gave me chances to relax/doing unplanned things.
So trip for next year is in the planning stages, I'm looking at heading around the same time as I did last year, this time with some friends tagging along. Looking like get there last week of September spend a week and a half in Tokyo and then I'm heading to Nagoya for a week and finally finishing up in Osaka for another week.
The only slight issue is I'll be there right as New Japan Pro Wrestling is doing their big October event, King of Pro-Wrestling, Its happens during the second Monday in October which will be when I'm in Nagoya. So I'm thinking of really getting my money's worth out of the rail pass this time, heading back from Nagoya to Tokyo for the night to see the event and then bullet train back to Nagoya the next day.
Now my issue is getting another hotel for one night in Japan, I'm thinking it might be worth trying a capsule hotel just to save money, however I am 6 foot 4 and not a slim guy so worried they will be too small for me.
Can anyone speak from experience about using Capsule hotels, are there any around that have slightly larger rooms or will they all be way too small for me.
Ive have eaten there 2 times already and honestly the food is not as good as it can be. I can see tourist "appeal" but really I remember much more how fantastic was the view and the food on the other restaurant and how bad was my experience with those yatai.
Even my ex from Fukuoka warned me about them.... I wanted to try and she she was right.
Laevateinn
Member
Awesome pics where were they taken?
Don't worry about bandwidth. It's expected in a thread like this.
Laevateinn
Member
Really cool. We wanted to do Takao on our last trip but I got too sick. Hopefully we can make it next time.
Thanks for the pics Fritz, they've got me excited for my trip to Nikko in 5 days! Unfortunately, rain is forecast for the day I'll be up there.
My pleasure. Yeah, its kinda like the one thing that's not perfect about travel destination Japan: the weather.
In 5 days forecasts are anything but set from my experience. And despite that, the temples are sprinkled in a relatively dense pine forest so there is plenty of protection from the rain. Anyways, I can imagine it has it's own striking atmosphere in the rain and at least visitor numbers might be lower.
Bboy AJ
My dog was murdered by a 3.5mm audio port and I will not rest until the standard is dead
Fritz, great photos. I am still figuring out where to stay in the mountains near Tokyo. I want things to do. Relaxing, nature-y stuff. Maybe I should just stay in the city again and day trip out to the mountains?